Rock & Rule may be a cult film, or as I read in someone else’s review a “cult classic cult classic”.  That doesn’t mean that it’s forgotten though, especially by those that created it.

The animation studio behind Rock & Rule is Nelvana. While that may be a name you’ve never heard before, chances are you’ve seen their logo at the end of numerous cartoons over the years.

The polar bear and the north star. Not a bad logo for a Canadian based company. One that existed before the movie and still exists today. Way back in 1978 Nelvana produced one of the most infamous and rare pieces of animation that has ever existed. To this day, 41 years later, there is no way to legally get your hands on the complete show. Aired only once and forgotten for years. There all who were involved wished it to stay. To remain dormant for the rest of time. But fan culture on the internet is a burden and a boon, and they raised awareness of the geek world’s most beloved fail.  The Star Wars Holiday Special.

Nelvana produced the animation that introduced Boba Fett to the Star Wars universe. Years before Empire Strikes Back and decades before the bounty hunter achieved cult status. While the entire special was dumped into the trash compacter, the animated part led to the Ewoks and Droids cartoons. Financially, this just over 10 minutes cartoon allowed the company to make Rock & Rule.

But that’s not where the connections end.

Back in 2005, Obi-Wan and Anakin themselves visited Nelvana.  Kind of.

The Star Wars series Clone Wars (the original short cartoons, not the half hour series) saw Obi-Wan and Anakin saving the day on the planet Nelvaan, in the city of Rokrul. Oh, the inhabitants also looked like humanoid versions of common animals.  Much like a certain movie from 1983.

Only two weeks into the year and already treasures are found and connections discovered.